Blackwood was born in 1941 in Wesleyville, Newfoundland, into a family with a long seafaring tradition. David showed a natural talent for etching. He is now internationally recognized as a master print-maker.

In the early 1940’s, Newfoundland had few roads, little electricity, and was rooted in a past which was to disappear over the next few decades. The people were united in this love of the sea and their total dependence upon it. Community ties run deep.

David Blackwood’s art is rooted in the oral tradition and strong social values of his birthplace. His depiction of the harsh life lived by the fishermen and their families are filled with story, drama, and a deep sense of community to both the place and the people.

In 1956, Blackwood opened his own studio where he produced award-winning artwork that gained him admission to the Ontario College of Art in 1959. After graduating, he remained in Ontario. For a time he taught, while developing one of the largest thematically linked series of prints in Canadian history, The Lost Party. This famous series of 50 etchings focused on the S.S. Newfoundland sealing disaster of 1914. Blackwood was involved with establishing an art gallery at Erindale College, an affiliate of the University of Toronto. As a sign of gratitude to Blackwood, this gallery was eventually named The Blackwood Gallery.

His etchings, paintings and monotypes can be found in many private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the National Gallery of Australia, The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Uffizi in Florence, the Chase Manhattan Bank, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Despite his long Ontario residency, Blackwood's art continues to focus on Newfoundland. In 1974, the National Film Board of Canada produced the documentary Blackwood, which won 10 international awards. Blackwood is considered one of Canada's best printmakers.

We are excited to be offering these two very fine aquatints of Blackwood’s, which include the depiction of the famous Mummering tradition of disguised merry-making, celebrated in Newfoundland and Labrador during the Twelve Days of Christmas. The subject-matter of these aquatints showing nocturnal scenes, seafaring the North Atlantic & the Mummer tradition are classic examples of Blackwood’s work.